What does cumulative GPA mean?

A cumulative GPA is the average of all your grades from all the semesters you have completed at your school, factored together. It represents your overall, long-term academic performance.

Is cumulative GPA the same as overall GPA?

Yes, 'cumulative GPA' and 'overall GPA' are exact synonyms. Both terms refer to the average of all grades you have earned throughout your entire high school or college career.

Do colleges look at semester or cumulative GPA?

Colleges look primarily at your cumulative GPA for admissions, as it shows your overall academic capability. However, they also look at your semester-by-semester GPAs to spot upward or downward trends in your grades.

What is a Cumulative GPA? Semester vs Cumulative Explained

When you look at your official transcript, you will likely see several different GPAs listed. The two most important numbers are your Semester GPA and your Cumulative GPA.

Semester GPA vs. Cumulative GPA

Your Semester GPA (sometimes called a Term GPA) is the average of the grades you received during one specific grading period. If you take 4 classes in the Fall semester and get all "A"s, your Fall Semester GPA is a perfect 4.0.

Your Cumulative GPA is the massive, overarching average of every single class you have taken since you enrolled at that school. It combines your Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior grades into one master number.

Because the Cumulative GPA is an average of so many classes, it is very difficult to change. Getting straight "A"s in your Senior year will drastically boost your Semester GPA, but it will only slightly nudge your Cumulative GPA if you had three years of "C"s prior to it.

Which GPA Actually Matters?

In almost all cases, institutions only care about your Cumulative GPA.

College Admissions: When applying to college, the admissions committee uses your cumulative high school GPA as the primary metric for acceptance.
Financial Aid: Federal student loans and university scholarships require you to maintain a specific cumulative GPA (usually a 2.0 or 3.0) to keep your funding.
Resumes: When you list your GPA on a resume for an entry-level job, you should always list your cumulative GPA, never a single good semester.

Calculate Your Master Average

Are you trying to figure out how this semester will impact your overall graduation standing? Use our calculator to combine your past semesters with your current grades.

Cumulative GPA Calculator

The "Major GPA" Exception

There is one notable exception in college. Many students will calculate their "Major GPA" alongside their Cumulative GPA.

Your Major GPA is the cumulative average of only the classes required for your specific degree, completely ignoring elective classes and general education requirements. If you struggled in mandatory Freshman Chemistry but got straight "A"s in all your high-level Accounting major courses, you can list your "Major GPA" on your accounting resume to show employers your true competence in the field.